Ibadan, Nigeria, 23 October 2026 – IITA’s Molecular Breeder and Bioinformatics Scientist, Dr Sourou Angelot Paterne Agre, is named one of three recipients of the prestigious 2026 Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers!
The award recognizes his outstanding contributions to advancing yam breeding and agricultural innovation in Africa.
Announced by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the award recognizes young researchers whose scientific achievements demonstrate exceptional promise for transforming agriculture and improving livelihoods in developing countries.
Agre, a Beninese scientist based at IITA in Ibadan, Nigeria, was selected for his research titled “Transforming Yam Production in Africa through Integrated Breeding, Genomics, and Innovation.”
His work combines advanced genomic technologies, molecular breeding, and innovative seed multiplication approaches to address longstanding challenges in yam production, a crop essential to food security and livelihoods across West Africa.
Through his research, Agre has contributed to identifying genetic regions associated with important yam traits, including disease resistance, yield, and quality. His work has also supported the development of molecular markers and improved breeding strategies that enable scientists to identify promising yam varieties more efficiently.
Among his notable contributions is the integration of genomic selection tools into yam breeding programs, helping reduce the breeding cycle from four to three years. He has also contributed to developing rapid seed multiplication systems to improve access to quality planting materials.
These innovations hold significant potential for accelerating the delivery of improved yam varieties to farmers, strengthening agricultural productivity, and supporting climate-resilient food systems across Africa.
The recognition reinforces IITA’s commitment to applying cutting-edge science and innovation to address agricultural challenges and improve smallholder farmers’ livelihoods.
Established in 2007, the Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026. The award is organized by Japan’s Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council and supported by the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS).
Agre joins two other awardees from India and Chile, recognized for innovations in climate-smart agriculture and fisheries research, respectively.
The award ceremony will take place on 26 November 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, where each recipient will receive a certificate of recognition and the US$5,000 MOTAI-JIRCAS Award.
Agre’s achievement highlights the growing contribution of African scientists to global agricultural research and the importance of investing in innovations that translate scientific discoveries into practical benefits for farmers.
Links to official stories
https://www.affrc.maff.go.jp/kokusaikenkyu/261023.html
https://www.affrc.maff.go.jp/kokusaikenkyu/261023.html
Media contact: Katherine Lopez, Head of Communication, IITA, k.lopez@cgiar.org